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frequently asked questions

Q. What genres do you publish?
A. We accept science fiction, fantasy, horror, and graphic novels. We will occasionally pick up the unclassified novel – that is, something that doesn’t quite fall into any specific genre, and is exceptional enough to cover the expanse between two or more genres. But this is rare.

Q. Do you co-publish or are a vanity press?
A. No. Leucrota Press holds to a strict and demanding acceptance policy. Only books that make it through the first round of cuts are even considered – and trust us, it’s not easy.

Q. What are your royalty payments?
A. Depends. Average royalties range from ten to 15 percent. The actual amount of royalty payments will be discussed upon the acceptance of the manuscript and during the contract signing process.

Q. Do you offer advances?
A. Sometimes. Larger advances are normally given to authors we feel will be immediate or substantial successes, or for a multi-book contracts. Currently, advances range from between $200 and $2,000. Though many times we will give larger royalties in lieu of an advance.

Q. Do you have any content restrictions or rules?
A. Well aside form the obvious copyright infringement no-no’s and a big thumbs down on any libelous or slanderous material, we’re pretty open. While we tend to frown upon unnecessary sexual scenes or excessive (and we mean excessive) language, if it’s an integral part of the plot, we’ll leave it in.

Q. What do you look for most in a story?
A. Characters are our number one priority. If your characters aren’t unique, believable, or memorable, no one really cares about what they’re going through. In order for a reader to follow a cast of characters through four hundred pages of plot, they must have some type of vested interest in the characters themselves. Make your characters develop along with your storyline. The inner journey is just as important as the physical one. Stack the odds against him/her. Deepen your villain, make the audience hate him but at the same time know and understand him.

Q. Do you have any tips for new authors?
A. Too many to list, really. Some of the best news that we can give is to write in your own voice. Don’t try to imitate today’s popular authors – they’re popular for a reason, chances are you won’t stand up against them. You need to break the mold and shock the reading world with a new voice, so that your novel stands out as unique and original. Something that many bookshelves today are severely lacking.

For more tips on writing and editing your manuscript, visit our news blog.

Q. Does my manuscript have to be perfect?
A. Well, in an ideal world, yes. That would mean less work for us, and immediate publication and a quick bestseller. But in the real world, no… but it’s got to be close. Typos, spelling errors, tense changes, and point of view mistakes are all very distracting and makes the editors inch their fingers towards the “delete” key.

Our editors are picky, well-read, and selfish as hell. If we see a story that comes across our desks with potential-real potential, we will (and have) overlook the redundancy, a flat character, or poorly devised alien dialects. Why? It’s because we don’t like to share, and we don’t want a little extra work on our part sending the talented-yet unseasoned author to another house.

Q. If my book is accepted, what can I expect?
A. If you are accepted, then congratulations! Making it through the rounds with our editorial staff is not an easy feat. A contract will be written up, detailing the terms and conditions that both you and us (the publisher) must agree to before any further action is taken. Once signed, you will be assigned an editor that will work with you throughout the entire editing, revision, printing, and distribution process. This editor will help you develop your book to it’s fullest potential, as well as set up a marketing plan and signing schedules.

Be prepared: writing the book was only the first step in the very long and rough road to getting your books on the shelves at your local bookstore. Multiple rewrites, long phone and email conversations with your editor, and hard-set deadlines are just a few of the things waiting for you at the goal line. But trust us, it will all be worth it in the end if you’re willing to stick it out.

Q. What if you reject my submission?
A. It’s really up to you what happens next. If rejected, we promise that you will receive a personalized response as to why we felt you book wasn’t ready – or, won’t ever be. Not to be harsh, but some stories just aren’t right for publication. Regardless, you’ll know why, and won’t be left confused with a generic “sorry, but not at this time.”

This way, it’s up to you. You can decide to take our advice and fix our suggestions and resubmit, or throw our letter away and submit somewhere else. Regardless, we believe that after the many hours you’ve spent writing your book, and the effort in crafting the perfect submission packet, that as a publisher we should give you the same courtesy and respect back with a few moments of our time by not using a form letter and a swift kick to send you on your way.

Q. Why are your rejections so mean?
A. To be honest, we're not trying to be mean. We're being honest. Our goal with LP is to keep the communication open between editors and writers, and to do so people need to be straightforward and honest. When we reject a manuscript, we promise to tell you why. Whether the plot wasn't working, the writing itself needed to be tightened up, or we hated your hero, the critique isn't meant to be mean, it's meant to be honest so that at least you're getting better than a "not at this time" form rejection. We hope that such candid rejections will make you more aware of your writing, and better yourself to ready for future publication.

Q. I have my own interior/cover illustrations. Can I use them?
A. If you thought just getting through our editorial judging panel was difficult, try slipping artwork through the first panel of art critiques. Leucrota Press works with several well-established freelance artists and graphic designers for both cover and interior art. If you wish us to consider your artwork to be included, it must be amazingly perfect and top-notch.

Q. I am an artist/illustrator. How can I work for you?
A. Currently, Leucrota Press does not have full-time cover artists, but rather contract based freelances that work on a job-to-job basis. If you would like us to consider your for contract work, please send us a portfolio of your best work, or a link to your website to: art@leucrotapress.com Good luck.

Leucrota Press is an independent press that publishes science fiction, fantasy, horror, and graphic novels of the highest quality. We work with both new and established authors, agented or not. Please carefully review our submission guidelines before sending any materials to us. We accept simultaneous submissions, but not multiple submissions.